Fluctuation theorem convergence in a viscoelastic medium demonstrated experimentally using a dusty plasma

Area of Science:

• Plasma Physics
• Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics
• Soft Matter Physics

Background:

• The steady-state fluctuation theorem (SSFT) provides fundamental insights into non-equilibrium systems.
• Dusty plasmas exhibit complex behaviors, including viscoelastic properties.
• Understanding SSFT convergence in complex media is crucial for statistical mechanics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the convergence of the steady-state fluctuation theorem (SSFT) in a viscoelastic dusty plasma under shear flow.
• To determine the factors influencing SSFT convergence time in such a system.
• To elucidate the role of viscoelasticity in the thermodynamic behavior of dusty plasmas.

Main Methods:

• Performing shear-flow experiments in a dusty plasma environment.
• Measuring time series of entropy production rate for subsystems of varying sizes.
• Analyzing the relationship between system size, convergence time, and viscoelastic properties (Maxwell relaxation time).

Main Results:

• SSFT convergence time decreases with increasing system size.
• A minimum convergence time, equal to the Maxwell relaxation time (τM), is observed.
• This minimum time is independent of the subsystem size, indicating a fundamental limit.

Conclusions:

• The convergence of the SSFT in viscoelastic dusty plasmas is fundamentally limited by the material's energy-storage capacity.
• The Maxwell relaxation time (τM) acts as a critical parameter governing SSFT convergence.
• These findings highlight the interplay between viscoelasticity and non-equilibrium thermodynamics in complex plasmas.